“This referendum is unlike most other referenda, it’s not concerned with politics or economics, it’s about Ireland valuing its citizens equally," Healy said. "Introducing marriage equality to Ireland would strengthen our reputation as champions for human rights and equality.”

A government spokesperson said the Irish government would be “actively supporting” allowing gay couples to marry.

Leading the opposition will be the Catholic Church in Ireland, which according to Denis Nulty, bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, plans to campaign against gay marriage.

“The Church regards the family based on marriage between a woman and a man as the single most important institution in any society,” he said. "To change the nature of marriage would be to undermine it as the fundamental building block of our society.”